Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said those opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi on demonetisation were harming the country and people should come together to "win this decisive battle against black money".

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. PTI

"We are going towards a new economic independence. In this battle for economic independence, the person who stands with Modiji for the next 50 days will become a soldier in this battle, and the one who does not stand with the PM will be against this country," Fadnavis said.

He was addressing a campaign rally for the municipal elections at Ratnagiri in coastal Konkan on Sunday.

"Now, you have to decide whether you want to become a soldier in the battle for economic freedom or whether you want to become a 'desh virodhak' (those against the country)," he said.

"We all should stand with Modiji for the next 50 days and win this decisive battle against black money," Fadnavis said.

The central government early this month invalidated higher denomination Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in its massive exercise to curb corruption and eliminate black money.

Meanwhile, altogether 15,827 candidates are in the fray for the 3,706 seats spread over 164 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra, where the first phase of polling will be held on 27 November.

For the post of municipal council president in 147 places, a total of 1,013 candidates will contest, State Election Commissioner J S Saharia said, adding 147 municipal councils and 18 nagar panchayats were to vote in the first phase.